Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

She reached for her brother’s shoulder. “Dylan, listen to me. We’re going to find out what happened, and no matter what, I’ve got your six.” She squeezed. “No matter what.”

Dylan acknowledged her with a lightning bolt glare.

10

Caitlyn and Renegade ended up spending the night at the ranch. It had been a difficult and emotional day, and Dylan refused to talk about the discovery of Wendy’s body or what the news reporter had implied. Caitlyn spent her time trying to calm her mother and discussing the facts with her dad. The following morning, she sat with Ren on the front porch, sipping a mug of hot coffee with her feet propped on the rail. Renegade lay on the planks next to her tilted-back chair while she watched the white-gold sun stretch its arms into the new morning.

Tires sounded on the gravel and brought her to her feet. She peered down the road at the sheriff’s jeep rounding the corner on its way up to the ranch house. Colt drove the vehicle into the circle drive and parked in front of the porch. Sheriff Tackett climbed out before Colt turned off the engine.

“I’d say good morning, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Is your brother at home?” The sheriff rounded the car and stood at the bottom of the steps.

Colt stepped out of the Jeep, his expression apologetic. “Morning, Catie.” He walked up the steps and knelt to pet Renegade. The dog’s tail slapped the plank floor and after Colt received a wet tongued greeting, he moved back down the stairs.

“What do you want with Dylan now? You already interviewed him yesterday.” Caitlyn balanced her mug on the deck rail and crossed her arms.

Tackett rested a boot on the bottom step. He took off his sunglasses and looked up at Caitlyn. “We’ve learned a few things since then. I’m sure you heard on the news, the body you found was indeed Wendy Gessler.”

“What does that have to do with Dylan?” Caitlyn stared him down.

The sheriff cocked his jaw to the side and rubbed his chin. “That’s exactly what we’d like to find out. Now if you’d be so kind as to let your brother know we’re here, I’d appreciate it.”

The front door opened, and Dylan stepped out. “I have nothing more to tell you than I told you yesterday, Sheriff.”

When Tackett mounted the steps, Dylan moved toward him. The air between them crackled, and Renegade leapt to his feet, barking.

“Quiet Renegade. Sedni,” Caitlyn ordered. Renegade quieted, and bent his hind legs into a sitting position, though he never fully sat down, his every muscle tense and trembling.

The sheriff glared at the dog before he continued. “We’re here to take you in, Reed.” He took another step toward Caitlyn’s brother and reached for his arm.

Renegade lunged forward, snarling at the men. Caitlyn grasped his collar. “Renegade! Lehne!”

The sheriff and Dylan both jumped away from the sharp fangs gnashing at them. Tackett pointed at the dog. “You better take that animal inside before I have him removed from the premises. I’ve warned you. He is a menace. A danger to society. I ought to have him put down.”

Fury draped around Caitlyn’s shoulders like a thick, black cloak, and she narrowed her eyes. “No one invited you onto our porch, Sheriff.” Caitlyn tugged Renegade toward the front door. “He’s just protecting our property and the people who live here.” Caitlyn rushed her dog inside and closed him in her dad’s office. She ran back out to the front deck, wanting to bear witness to any conversation the men had. By the time she returned, the Sheriff had handcuffed Dylan and was reading him his Miranda rights.

“On what grounds are you arresting him?” Caitlyn yelled. She ran down the stairs after them. Colt stepped forward and held her back.

“New evidence has come to light, Catie.” He lowered his voice. “I agree with you, it’s probably not enough for an arrest, but the Sheriff insisted. I promise I’ll keep an eye on Dylan. But you should probably call an attorney.”

Caitlyn searched his eyes and then turned to the sheriff. “What new evidence do you have?”

Tackett scratched his ample belly before propping his hands on his utility belt. “A hiker found Wendy’s car abandoned on the forest highway three miles from your ranch road, and Doctor Kennedy informed us that Wendy was pregnant when she was killed.” His words sent an icy shiver through her and she wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing goose bumps from her skin.

Dylan spun away from the sheriff. “How is any of that evidence against me?”

“That’s what we want to determine.” Tackett pulled Dylan toward the back seat of the Jeep. “You were seen with Wendy the night she disappeared. The location of Wendy’s car gives you proximity, the pregnancy could be your motive, and the means… well... you have plenty of guns around here.” The sheriff opened the door and placed his hand on Dylan’s head as he pushed him inside.

“That proves nothing. Lots of ranch roads branch off from the highway. And even if the baby was Dylan’s, it’s not evidence of anything!” Caitlyn’s mind raced along with her pulse as she tried to make sense of the recent information.

“Well, if Dylan agrees to take a paternity test, the results will surely tell us something. If he is the father, that could implicate him.”

“The only thing that would tell us, Sheriff, is that he’s the father. It certainly wouldn’t implicate him in murder. I’m calling an attorney. I’m also calling Logan!”

The Sheriff chuffed. “You think just because you studied a little about the law in college and your brother is in the FBI, you can protect a murderer?”

“He’s not a murderer!” Caitlyn ran to Dylan’s door and pressed her hands on the glass. “Dylan, you don’t have to take any test, and don’t say anything until your attorney gets there, do you hear me?”

Dylan yelled back, “Do not call Logan. I’m serious, Caitlyn. Don’t drag him into this.”

The Sheriff brushed